What type of reproduction involves only one parent organism?

Asexual reproduction involves only one parent organism, which means that the offspring are produced without the combining of genetic material from two parents. This form of reproduction allows organisms to reproduce quickly and efficiently, as they do not need to find a mate. The offspring are genetically identical to the parent, which can be advantageous in stable environments where the parent's traits are well-suited for survival.

In contrast, external fertilization and sexual reproduction require the involvement of two parents and result in offspring that have a combination of genetic traits from both. The formation of clones, while also involving a single organism, is a specific type of asexual reproduction that focuses on producing identical copies, but a variety of asexual methods exist beyond cloning, such as budding or binary fission. Therefore, asexual reproduction encompasses a broader range of processes that involve only one parent organism.